MARIE BLACHÈRE BAKERY
With 500 locations throughout France, this popular bakery known for authentic artisan breads and a modern market design opened last month in Great Neck — its first location in the U.S.
Its products are baked and prepared on-site daily, made from traditional French-inspired recipes and U.S.-sourced ingredients, with the exception of its flour imported from France.
The menu includes French pastries, sweets, croissants, baguette sandwiches and salads as well as traditional American fare such as burgers, pizza, club sandwiches, donuts, muffins, and wraps. Beverages range from espresso, macchiato, cappuccino, latte, house coffee and hot chocolate to cold brews, teas, waters, juices, and more.
The two-floor bakery will also feature rooftop dining beginning next spring.
550 Middle Neck Rd., Great Neck, marie-blachere.com
BIG DADDY’S EAST
This Cajun-style bar and restaurant that’s the second location of a Massapequa eatery of the same name opened just in time for Mardi Gras.
Big Daddy’s goes big with its annual “Mardi Gras Madness Week,” where they have seven nights of New Orleans-style celebration with live music and specials. The menu features Cajun, creole and soul food such as Louisiana crawfish boil, motor mouth stuffed shrimp, and Cajun “10-oncer” burger. Patrons are in good hands with Executive Chef Adam Anders, who trained under Emeril Lagasse.
One of the most festive places to go on LI for that New Orleans feeling.
44-46 E Main St, Bay Shore, 631-968-2505, bigdaddyseast.com
MODI WINE BAR
Making mouths water with a creative, modern Italian bistro menu is the hip, cozy new Modi Wine Bar, a chic casual dinner and drinks spot that recently opened in Franklin Square village.
The 60-seat white-tablecloth locale is attached to its sister restaurant, Cinelli’s Pizzeria. Two-time Chopped competitor Chef Merlin Tlepa expertly cooks up the culinary magic at Modi, the brainchild of Joseph Cinelli, an Italian immigrant, and his brother, Peter.
Modi has 14 wines on tap, ranging from Italy to California. Must-tries include the delectable Cajun-rubbed seared tuna with avocado mousse, Sriracha aioli and balsamic glaze appetizer, the perfectly prepared and presented New York strip steak with sautéed gnocchi, bacon, and Brussels sprouts, and the top-notch homemade tiramisu.
Modi Wine Bar,1195-A Hempstead Tpke., Franklin Square, 516-352-1745, modiwinebar.com
